The Michael Jackson Documentary "Leaving Neverland" Gets a Sequel
The 2019 documentary "Leaving Neverland" is getting a sequel. The second film, focusing on the controversial allegations against Michael Jackson, will air on the British Channel 4 on March 18th.
The sequel is titled "Surviving Michael Jackson." The original film, which alleged that the King of Pop sexually abused children, garnered significant attention and won several awards, including an Emmy. However, it also sparked outrage from Jackson's family and his vast fan base. The singer's relatives denounced the film as a "public lynching" and reiterated that Jackson was acquitted in court.
Michael Jackson's estate not only strongly criticized the documentary but also immediately filed a lawsuit against HBO, the network that aired the film. The estate sought $100 million in damages, claiming that HBO profited from "unverified propaganda" and the "exploitation of an innocent man who is no longer alive." In 2020, HBO lost the lawsuit, which likely explains the network's lack of involvement in the sequel.
On October 3, 2025, the Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" is scheduled to premiere. The lead role is played by Jaafar Jackson, the artist's 28-year-old nephew. The premiere was initially planned for April but was later moved to the fall, reportedly to increase its chances of winning an Oscar. However, this decision may also be related to the "Leaving Neverland" sequel. How the sequel to the controversial documentary will affect the fate of the biopic remains to be seen.
In late 2024, unreleased recordings of Michael Jackson were discovered in an abandoned warehouse. However, releasing them will be challenging due to copyright issues, as the rights belong to the Jackson estate.
